Resolutions

I don't usually take New Year's Resolutions seriously.  There's the staples... spend more time outside, lose some weight, read more, blah blah blah.  Those aren't bad goals, I just don't stay motivated.  My resolutions last about six hours, and then I'm eating another piece of chocolate.

This year, however, I decided on one that I really, really want to do.  I know it's going to be hard, but accomplishing things is very important for me.  I think that's what's starting to help me with my lazy slowness in life: starting and finishing projects.  One thing at a time.

The idea isn't to end up with 365 masterpieces.  That is just not realistic thinking.  The point is to practice.  You know the saying.  Also, according to Matthew 25, I'm supposed to develop my talents.  I could be a much better photographer than I am.  I intend to reach that potential.

If you want to follow along with me on this project, click here to look at the blog I created specifically for this.  It's called "I AM."  Each day, I'll post a picture with a title that completes the sentence.  For example, "I AM a Dentonite."

So, what are you going to do this year?  Resolutions, or no?

My Testimony

Today I realized that I have not shared my testimony with my friends enough.

It becomes easy, I think, when you live, work, and go to school among so many members of the church, you sometimes become a little less vocal about your beliefs.  In my case, I'm not so sure I was ever so vocal about them in the first place.  If I were to die tomorrow, what would my friends say about me?  That I loved photography?  That I was a writer?  That I was obsessed with Batman?  Flattering--but I hope not.

I hope that if my friends and family could remember one thing I've ever said, one thing that is completely important to me, that it would be this: I know, without any particle of doubt in my being, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of my Heavenly Father.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.  He translated the Book of Mormon--another testament of Jesus Christ--and every word of that book is true.  I know that because of my Savior's perfect life, and sacrifice, I can repent of my sins and one day live with my Heavenly Father, with all of my family.  My family is forever, and I shall never be separated from them, even in death.  I know that because of this church, I am happy.  I am so much happier than I could ever hope to be without it, because I know that my God loves me.  He knows me, knows my name, hears every prayer, sees every event.  He has a plan specifically for me, and He wants me to live with Him again.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is His true prophet on the earth today.  Revelation still comes to us through prophets, like it did in the times of Moses, Abraham, and Elijah.

I know that He loves me, even though I am not perfect.

"I know."  What wonderful words to be able to say in such a confusing world.  What a wonderful expression of certainty in my life!

I think that some people consider religion to be an anecdote to a person's life, unless they're the Pope.  For me, I hope it is front and center: I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I have no doubt of its truth.  I have no doubt that I am on the right path.  I know these things as sure as I know that I love my family, and they love me.

I love this church and I love my Heavenly Father.  I love the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and I love Joseph Smith.  I love that I have the scriptures available to me, and that they contain the true gospel.

"I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it."


I want to leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I Hate February.

I really do.  I don't think there's any other month I loathe quite as much as I dislike February.  Why?  Well, it's cold.  It is so miserably cold, often without snow.  (If it's going to be cold, it might as well snow.  That provides a little bit of insulation, at least.)  Also, I'm not particularly a fan of Valentine's Day.  It's cute, and I like all of the lovey-dovey chick flicks that come on TV (though I don't have cable), I've never had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day.  Well, okay.  I did once, but we did nothing, and I broke up with him two days later.  And, last year, I was waiting on a missionary.  Well, puh.

So, this February, I'm going to do something about it!  I'm going to make myself like this month.  I have twenty-six and a half days left to make it happen.  So it will happen.

1.  I'm going to write every day.  I'm currently reading an excerpt by someone named Lance Larson about Creative Writing.  He says to write every day.  So I'm going to.  It might not be more than fifteen minutes, and I might not write something of worth every day, but I'm going to write anyway.

2.  I'm going to have a photo of the week every week.  I actually want to do this all year, but it starts with February.  (I'm always late, haha.  My parents like to state that my birth was the only thing in the world I was early to.)  What I mean by photo of the week is, I'm going to get myself more involved in fun photography.  My photography.  (My photo of the week for this week is "Caleb" which I posted yesterday.  I'm just so in love with that picture.)

3.  No soda pop until my birthday.  Yeah, that includes March too...  Well, I don't really like March either.  So it works.  How is that going to make my February better?  Well, I'm hoping it'll help me lose weight.  Haha.

4.  I'm going to finish City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.  I keep putting that one off.

5.  I'm going to read my scriptures every day.  No excuses.

6.  Every week I will read something from the Ensign.

I really don't want to be the sulky, self-pitying person that I automatically revert to when I'm not really doing anything, or even when I'm doing something sometimes.  I want to be happy, approachable, and the best friend I can possibly be.  Positivity, woo!

Thanks for reading!
Krista

PS- Happy Birthday, Papa.  I love you.  I'll see you on the other side.